PSMA Therapy for Metastatic Prostate Cancer

What Is Metastatic Prostate Cancer?

Metastatic prostate cancer is a type of prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) beyond the prostate gland to other parts of the body. It is also referred to as advanced prostate cancer or stage IV prostate cancer. The places that metastatic prostate cancer most commonly spreads to include the bones, lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and brain.

Often, early prostate cancer has no symptoms. By the time symptoms do appear, the cancer may have progressed to a more advanced stage. Symptoms can include:

• Difficulty urinating
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Pain or burning during urination
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Erectile dysfunction

In later stages, prostate cancer may also cause hip, back, or rib pain, leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or fatigue, as cancer cells spread to other areas of the body.

Traditional Treatment Prognosis for Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Long-term survival rates for prostate cancer are very high when the cancer is diagnosed early. In the beginning stages of the disease, the cancer is found only in the prostate and nearby areas. Nearly 100% of patients diagnosed with localized or regional prostate cancer will survive for at least five years.

However, the 5-year survival rate is significantly lower for Stage IV prostate cancer. The goal at this point is not to eliminate the cancer, as this is effectively impossible, but to extend life while maintaining quality of life. With traditional treatments, about 37% of patients with Stage IV prostate cancer will survive for five years.

RCCA Offers Precision Medicine Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients

Several RCCA offices are now offering a cutting-edge treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Known as PSMA therapy, this treatment combines positron emission tomography (PET) scans and a targeted therapy for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive cancer cells.

This breakthrough treatment is designed to track and treat prostate cancer that has spread throughout the body. It has been proven effective against prostate cancers that have not responded or grown resistant to other treatments, creating new options for men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

To determine if a patient might benefit from the treatment, physicians employ a sophisticated imaging technology approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The technology is a tracing agent that finds and binds itself to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a protein found on the surface of some types of prostate cancer cells. When the cells are bound to the tracer, they light up on a PET or CT scan.

After medical oncologists review the PET or CT scan results, they administer a targeted therapy to destroy the cancer cells identified. The medication contains a radiation isotope. When injected into the bloodstream, the therapy binds itself to PSMA-positive cancer cells and delivers radiation directly to them. The treatment works throughout the body, including bone and soft tissue. It bypasses healthy tissue, which reduces side effects, while finding and destroying cancer cells, including cells that may be resistant to other treatments.

The Future of Cancer Treatment in Clinical Trials

PSMA therapy is one of the greatest strides made in advanced prostate cancer treatment since the 2000s. It was made possible through clinical trials. These are carefully managed scientific studies that evaluate new drugs and treatment approaches.

Patients who received PSMA therapy in clinical trials lived longer compared to patients who received the standard treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Most also experienced relatively modest side effects. The FDA approved PSMA therapy for use based on those trial results.

RCCA provides its patients with access to numerous clinical trials evaluating therapies for a wide range of cancers. These studies enable patients to receive innovative treatments before they are approved, while also increasing scientific understanding of the new treatments. Clinical trials can provide patients with real hope for longer survival and a higher quality of life.

Learn More About PSMA Therapy at RCCA

Though late-stage prostate cancer traditionally has had a poor prognosis, PSMA therapy and several other cutting-edge therapies developed in recent years are improving treatment outcomes. Regional Cancer Care Associates offers comprehensive, compassionate care at more than 20 locations near you in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, allowing patients to receive treatment close to home. Contact us with any questions or to request an appointment to discuss prostate cancer treatment options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer and PSMA Therapy

How is prostate cancer detected?

Prostate cancer is most often detected through a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, digital rectal examination (DRE), and imaging studies such as an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan. After possible cancer is identified, a biopsy will be taken to confirm the diagnosis.

When should men start getting screened for prostate cancer?

Patients at average risk are recommended to start routine screening at age 50. Those with above-average risk, such as African American men or those with a family history of prostate cancer, may consider starting testing earlier.

What are the survival rates for prostate cancer?

Survival rates for early-stage prostate cancer are very good. Nearly 100% of patients diagnosed with Stage I prostate cancer will survive for at least five years. Survival rates decline as cancer progresses to more advanced stages.

What is PSMA therapy?

PSMA therapy is a cutting-edge treatment that has been shown to improve survival in late-stage prostate cancer. It is designed to find and eliminate cancer cells throughout the body, including in bone and soft tissue.